Yoenis Cespedes to undergo physical this week before signing new deal with Mets

Yoenis Cespedes is a Met again, of course, but his new contract does not become official until he passes a physical exam.

Yoenis Cespedes is a Met again, of course, but his new three-year, $75-million contract does not become official until he passes a physical exam. The hope is that Cespedes will be examined by Mets doctors in the next 24-72 hours.

That means the club could schedule a press conference for the slugging outfielder later this week, depending on the results of his medical exams. Nothing is set yet, though.

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When the agreement was reached on Friday, it was apparent Cespedes took less money from the Mets because he wanted to remain in New York. Jon Heyman of MLB Network tweeted Monday that the Nationals' five-year offer got up to $110 million and included an opt-out clause. There was deferred money in their deal, too.

Cespedes' deal with the Mets contains an opt-out clause after the first year. If he uses it, he'll have made $27.5 million from the Mets and could perhaps cash in on a weaker hitters market next winter. That $27.5-million paycheck would tie Alex Rodriguez for the second-highest average annual value in salary for a position player. Only Miguel Cabrera ($31 million AAV in his Tigers deal from 2016-23) makes more.

Before Yoenis Cespedes officially re-signs with the Mets, there's the minor detail of a physical exam. (Howard Simmons/New York Daily News)

If Cespedes does opt out, the Mets can make him a qualifying offer next winter and gain draft-pick compensation is he signs elsewhere.

Cespedes, 30, helped propel the Mets into the World Series last season after a midseason trade from Detroit. In 57 games as a Met, he had 17 homers, 35 extra-base hits and 44 RBI. He batted .287 with a .337 on-base percentage and a .604 slugging mark.

Several Mets have raved about the move.

"Here's a guy who can do some amazing things with the bat when he steps up to the plate, when he's on the basepaths or on defense," Curtis Granderson said Saturday.

Even new Hall of Famer Mike Piazza (@mikepiazza31) got into the act, tweeting on Friday: "So great to hear @ynscspds is staying with the @Mets #LetsGoMets"